Abstract

The perfumery heritage of Asia is renowned for its use of agarwood. This aromatic develops as a natural product in Aquilaria trees which have their origin in the Indo-Malayan region. Distributed via migration and trade, the aromatic product of agarwood has become integrated in perfumery arts throughout Asia. The ethnographic poster presentation at hand visually introduces exemplary fine arts from the prominent cultures of agarwood fine consumption. While comparing and reflecting upon them, histories of cultural contacts, flows and exchanges between the various Asian regions are conjured up. Eventually, characteristics can be discerned which let agarwood become the reason for and the key material of the sophisticated and standout perfumery arts in West and East Asia – namely its sensory nature, its mystic aura, and its commercial exclusivity.